The 2025 MLB Draft wrapped up Monday night as one of the most significant drafts in recent Tennessee history proved to be a major success for the Vols.
But it wasn’t just the program record four players selected in the first round, the eight players drafted in the first three rounds or the nine players drafted total that made it so positive. It was the amount of highly touted Tennessee prep and transfer signees that made it to campus.
Diving in to the reasons why Tennessee baseball is one of the biggest winners in the MLB Draft.
Tennessee Got Two Instant Impact Signees To Campus
I wrote last week that Virginia outfield transfer Henry Ford was the most important player for Tennessee to get to campus. I also noted that there was a real argument to make for highly touted left-handed pitcher and high school signee Cameron Appenzeller.
Tennessee got both. A top 75 draft prospect, Ford went undrafted and will come to Tennessee to play his junior season. Ford slashed .348/414/.587 with 28 home runs, 22 doubles and 115 RBIs in two seasons in Virginia and gives Tennessee a proven middle of the order bat on what will be a young and largely new look lineup.
Appenzeller was the No. 22 player and No. 3 left-handed pitcher in the 2026 recruiting cycle according to Perfect Game. Projected as a day one pick, Appenzeller fell and decided to come to Tennessee before the Seattle Mariners took a flyer on him in the 18th round.
The 6-foot-5 left-handed pitcher will play three years of college baseball and could make an instant impact in Knoxville next season.
The Vols Got A Major Surprise With A Returning Player
The only question around Tennessee left-handed pitcher Brandon Arvidson entering the draft is where he would be picked with most viewing Arvidson as a late day one or early day two pick.
But after falling past the first five rounds, Arvidson announced his intentions to return to Tennessee for his senior season. Arvidson turned the corner late in his first season in Knoxville, posting a 2.87 ERA, 28 strikeouts and six walks in his final eight appearances.
A tall lefty with big-time stuff, Arvidson returning gives Tennessee’s pitching staff a bit more continuity and versatility. The lefty could remain as a reliever or slide into a starting spot.
More Borderline Prep Signees Made It To Campus
Appenzeller wasn’t the only high-level Tennessee high school signee to make it to campus. Catcher Trent Grindliner, No. 30 player and No. 2 catcher in the country, as well as infielder Ethan Moore (No. 94 player) and outfielders Taylor Tracy (No. 89 player) and Nathan Eisfielder (No. 100 player) will make it to campus.
Grindlinger and Eisfielder will be eligible for the MLB Draft after just two seasons but Moore and outfielder Tracy won’t be eligible for the draft again until after their junior seasons.
Tennessee Did Lose Some Players To The Draft
Like recruiting, not every break in the draft is going to go your way and Tennessee is losing a number of commits to professional baseball.
On the prep side, LHP Kruz Schoolcraft as well as shortstops Steele Hall and Billy Carlson plan on signing after going in the first round of the draft. All three results were expected ahead of the draft.
JUCO pitcher signee Matt Barr, MIT transfer RHP Mason Estrada and UNC Asheville transfer RHP Clay Edmondson were all picked on Monday and intend to sign professionally. That was the expectation with Barr and while Estrada and Edmondson were a bit more up in the air, neither is a major surprise.
A Handful Of Questions Remain
The MLB Draft has provided a ton of clarity for Tennessee baseball but a few questions do remain. The Houston Astros selected two-way Bowling Green transfer DJ Newman in the 15th round of the draft and it’s currently unclear if Newman will come to Tennessee or sign professionally.
Tennessee outfielders Dalton Bargo and Reese Chapman each went undrafted and it’s unclear what’s next for the pair. Both could sign undrafted free agent deals or return to Tennessee. However, it’s unclear whether either would have a starting spot back at Tennessee. At the very least, each would have to compete for a starting job.
The transfer portal is currently closed meaning that they would have to wait until December to transfer to another school.
